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Data for the first quarter of 2026 show a contrasting trend in the Spanish yachting market, with growth in new boats, an adjustment in pre-owned boats and a steady rise in rental boats.
Growth in registrations driven by the domestic market
Between January and March 2026, 967 new boats were registered in Spain, compared with 831 a year earlier, an increase of 16.4%. In Catalonia, the increase was 20.2%, with 149 units compared with 124 over the same period.
The private-label market grew by 16.7% nationwide, while the rental segment increased by 15.7%. In Catalonia, the dynamic is different. The individual segment grew by 7.7%, while the rental segment recorded an increase of 41.3%.
This distribution confirms a gradual shift towards shared-use models.
Rental is establishing itself as a structuring segment
The rental market accounts for 29.8% of registrations in Spain. In Catalonia, it represents 43.6% of the total.
This level reflects a change in practices, with a growing proportion of users favoring use over ownership. For professionals, this implies an adaptation of business models, with increased demand for fleets adapted to intensive operation.
This trend is particularly pronounced for smaller units and recreational boating activities.
Differentiated regional and port dynamics
Certain capital cities account for a large share of registrations. Cartagena tops the list with 114 units, followed by Barcelona with 108, Alicante with 106 and Palma de Mallorca with 104.
Other ports in the ranking include Almería, Santander, Gijón, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Málaga and Vigo.
This distribution confirms the role of areas with strong tourist activity and structured navigation basins.
Contrasting trends by unit type
On a national scale, sailboats recorded the strongest growth, with +59.4%. Rigid motorboats followed with +26.1%, then inflatables with +17.3%. Sea scooters were up 5.1%, while RIBs were down 3.5%.
The situation is different in Catalonia. RIBs rose by 50.0%, and rigid boats by 42.1%. Sailboats remained stable.
Tires fell by 40.0%, and jet skis by 7.1%.
These variations reflect local specificities, linked to usage and navigation zones.
Marked growth in certain unit sizes
All size segments showed overall growth. In Spain, 15 to 24-meter units doubled, with an increase of 100%.
Boats from 8 to 12 meters increased by 18%, and those under 8 meters by 15%.
In Catalonia, the trend was similar. Units between 15 and 24 meters increased by 75%, those under 8 meters by 31%, and those between 8 and 12 meters by 25%.
These figures reflect activity spread across several segments, from compact pleasure boats to larger units.
A second-hand market in retreat at national level
The second-hand market in Spain fell by 6.4%, with 3,091 units sold compared with 3,302 a year earlier.
In Catalonia, the trend was the opposite, with an increase of 13.2% to 714 units.
The ratio remains high, with 3.2 used boats sold for every new unit in Spain.
In Catalonia, this ratio reaches 4.8, confirming the importance of this segment in the renewal of the stock.
These indicators confirm the gradual structuring of the market around usage, with direct impacts on production, distribution and related services.
